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"The" and "A/an"


Articles "The" and "A/an" are tricky for non-native speakers of English. It seems hard to know when to use each one.

One should use "the" when one is talking about something specific. Usually both the person speaking and the person listening understand what object the speaker is referring to, such as the car or the bus. In this case both the speaker and listener know which bus or car it is.

One should use "A" or "an" when speaking about an object in general. 'An apple or a banana' could be any banana or apple not something specific, such as I would like to eat an apple. In contrast, if I said I would like to eat the apple than both the listener and the speaker know which apple it is.

  1. Hui saidMon, 10 Mar 2008 00:40:49 -0000 ( Link )

    It is a good lesson! and I am always confusing about how to use preposition, such as “at”, “in”, ” on” ... special before the time or before the place.

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  2. mcaers saidTue, 11 Mar 2008 15:30:55 -0000 ( Link )

    Hi Hui,

    I will work on a lesson for prepositions next.

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  3. geof saidTue, 06 May 2008 19:53:58 -0000 ( Link )

    Related to this issue is what to use and how to pronounce “a”or “an” when it precedes a word stating with an “h”. Although you could say “It is a historical event.”, the sentence rolls off the tongue easier if you say “It was an istorical event.” by keeping the “h” silent.

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  4. avinash1990 saidSun, 01 Jun 2008 09:28:23 -0000 ( Link )

    GOOD! BUT NEED FEW MORE LESSONS AND EXCERSISES

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  5. saurabhbisht saidWed, 25 Jun 2008 21:09:27 -0000 ( Link )

    THE [da] the [dee] how do we know when to and what to pronounce at different situations?????//

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  6. Sovon saidFri, 27 Jun 2008 21:21:32 -0000 ( Link )

    I’m confused about British english and American english.Is it makes any defference in SAT? Can anybody help me?? I need a friend to practice together too …is here anybody such??

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  7. mcaers saidThu, 03 Jul 2008 21:01:17 -0000 ( Link )

    Hi Sovon,

    You will have to be familiar with American English for the SAT because the SAT is an American test. You will only need British English if you are going to go to the UK.

    Check out the SAT community to find friends to practice with. The LearnHub team posts different questions each week for you to try.

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  8. subhash saidWed, 16 Jul 2008 09:21:05 -0000 ( Link )

    actuly i have problen in grammer and speak in english so would advice me how could i improve my language problem.

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  9. Malgosia saidWed, 13 Aug 2008 16:07:22 -0000 ( Link )

    Do you use ‘an’ before an acronym, or ‘a’? Example: I am considering doing an MBA…or I am considering doing a MBA.

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  10. pratyushnalam saidSun, 05 Oct 2008 13:13:46 -0000 ( Link )

    quite helpful

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  11. Supriya Malla saidFri, 17 Oct 2008 15:18:15 -0000 ( Link )

    Well i need to be familiar with american english.but i have been speaking british english since so many years. what should I do?Please guide.

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  12. jagmohan saidWed, 15 Apr 2009 06:53:37 -0000 ( Link )

    this was very good lecture to read . could u plz provide few lesson on sentence correction.

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  13. nasser11 saidSat, 18 Apr 2009 22:12:16 -0000 ( Link )

    hi there , I’m new here and I’m interesting for that .. Please ,, Could you explain the Gerunds “ing” and Infinitives & Which verbs do they follow ?

    Again, thank you very much for that effort. I’m fortunate to be one member of this group.

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